Imu and the Final Saga: The Celestial Connection
The Five Elders’ names are taken directly from the planets of the solar system:
- St. Jay Garcia Saturn → Saturn
- St. Markus Mars → Mars
- Topman Valcurie → Mercury
- Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro → Venus
- Shepard Ju Peter → Jupiter
Oden, who learned the world’s secrets.
Luffy, who awakened as the Sun God Nika.
Blackbeard, a “D” who embodies a black hole.
If so many of the central figures of the Final Saga are linked to celestial bodies, then the greatest villain candidate—Imu—must also represent one.
I argue that Imu symbolizes the North Star (Polaris).
Here’s why.
The Three Conditions
To identify Imu with a celestial body, three conditions must be satisfied:
- Worthy of standing above the other planet-themed Five Elders
- A true counterpart to Luffy as the potential final enemy
- Explains the beast-like “dragon form” Imu showed to Sabo
1. A Celestial Body Above All Others
Many fans suggest that Imu symbolizes the Moon:
- Opposite of Luffy’s Sun
- Connection to the tale of Princess Kaguya
- “Mu” sounding like “Moon”
But the Moon better fits Zoro’s symbolism.
And unlike the Moon, which fades in the Sun’s presence, the North Star never disappears.
- It is the unmoving center of the night sky
- The reference point for all other stars and planets
- Worshiped historically as the ruler of the heavens
As the supreme figure above the Five Elders, the North Star is a perfect match.
2. The Opposite of Luffy
The Moon and Sun are not perfect opposites; they even “collaborate” in eclipses.
But the North Star rules the night sky, which directly opposes the dawn Luffy will bring.
Pedro declared that the Straw Hats are the ones who will guide the world to dawn.
Therefore, the final battle must be Night vs. Morning.
3. The Dragon-Like Form
When Imu revealed a beastly form to Sabo, many called it a dragon.
This fits with the idea that the World Government’s top enemy must parallel Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionaries.
It also connects to ancient astronomy:
5,000 years ago, the North Star was not Polaris but Thuban, the alpha star of Draco, the Dragon constellation.
Thus, the North Star and dragon imagery are inseparable.
Why 5,000 Years Ago Matters
The manga itself repeatedly references a 4,000–5,000-year timeframe:
- The Tree of Knowledge was said to be 5,000 years old
- Alabasta’s royal palace has a 4,000-year history
- The Nefertari family, one of the original 20 Kings, betrayed the Celestial Dragons
Far from being random, the 5,000-year motif ties directly into Imu’s role.
Imu as the Leviathan
The most fitting identity for Imu may be the mythical Leviathan—a being described in the Old Testament as part dragon, part sea monster, and even godlike.
- Dragon and fish at once → fits the “Uo Uo no Mi” lineage
- A familiar RPG monster → feels natural as a pirate’s ultimate foe
- Perfectly mirrors the giant sea creature from Chapter 1
This would allow the series to close in a full-circle homage to its very first chapter.
Why Stars Are Never Drawn
Throughout One Piece, the night sky is never shown with stars—only the Moon.
This absence feels intentional: to hide the importance of the North Star until the end.
World Government and Religious Motifs
The story has long drawn from Biblical motifs, and the World Government is no exception.
- Its symbol is a cross, echoing Christianity.
- The Empty Throne where Imu sits is modeled on St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, the seat of the Pope.
This religious imagery reinforces Imu’s role as a godlike ruler, with celestial and spiritual symbolism intertwined.
Conclusion
Imu is best understood as the North Star—the ruler of the night, immovable for millennia, and the perfect antithesis to Luffy’s dawn.
The Final Saga will culminate in the clash of Night vs. Morning, with Imu as the ultimate embodiment of eternal darkness.
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